Matters of the Heart
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Sermon
Pastor Gearl Spicer, September 22, 2024
Part of the Listen & Learn series, preached at a Sunday Online service
Matthew 6:1-15
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
The Lord’s Prayer
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sermon Notes
How do you position your heart for impact?
One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his good deed. Proverbs 19:17
The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, the wicked does not understand such concern. Proverbs 29:7
How blessed is he who considers to helpless; the Lord will protect Him and keep him alive. Psalm 41:1
Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Matt. 6:1
So that your giving will be in secret and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matt. 6:4
*Our secret place should be the most intimate and intriguing part of our lives!
Three positions of the heart—-
Giving to change lives—vs.1-4
MOTIVE MUST BE PURE-
*When meeting needs we must align choices to glorify God!
II. Praying to touch heaven—vs.5-8
POSITION MUST BE PERSONAL-
*When seeking Him we must access the inner parts of our heart!
III. Learning to transform our focus—vs.9-15
MODEL MUST BE FOLLOWED
*When praying the Lord’s Prayer we acknowledge His sovereign control over our lives!
*In the power of prayer we learn forgiveness blesses our lives and central to Jesus living inside our hearts!
*Hebrews 10:22
Are you ready for impact?